Judge holds off on decision on secretary of state cuts

Posted:
Friday, August 14, 2015 3:48 PM EDT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A judge has decided to hold off on deciding whether to temporarily block provisions in the state budget that slash Secretary of State Doug La Follette's budget by nearly 50 percent.

La Follette is the only Democrat in a statewide office. He filed a lawsuit in July alleging the Republican-authored state budget makes it impossible to do his job because it cut his four-person full-time staff to two and forced him to relocate to the state Capitol basement. La Follette argues the provisions infringe on his duties.

Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanford held a hearing Friday on La Follette's request for a temporary injunction blocking the provisions while she considers the lawsuit. She said she wants to review affidavits La Follette filed moments before the hearing before she rules.